Word: proteins
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Since 1983, when Gusella first determined that the gene for Huntington's was located on the tip of the short arm of chromosome four, scientists have been engaged in a quest to define the exact nature of the biochemical abnormality, thought to be a defective protein or enzyme, which is responsible for its symptoms...
...hypothesis advanced by some researchers isthat Huntington's disease is caused by a defect insome protein, present in cells throughout thebody, to which a certain class of neurons, whichdisappear during the course of a patient's life,are more sensitive...
Adducin, made of subunits alpha and beta, bindsto another molecule, calmodulin, which is thoughtto be important in the synthesis of the membranesof cells throughout the body. A high level ofadducin in the brain raises the possibility thatthe protein is somehow involved in neural functionor even those neurons associated with Huntington'sdisease...
...replacing amino acids in a given protein with such a large variety of synthesized amino acids, scientists hope to gain a better understanding of the function of proteins...
...years, both emeritus professors at the University of Washington in Seattle; a colleague described them as "quintessential gentleman scholars." They were honored for their discovery in the 1950s of a mechanism cells use to regulate a range of metabolic processes. "We stumbled on it," said Fischer. The mechanism, reversible protein phosphorylation, a key to maintaining life in cells, has paved the way for research into cellular phenomena and diseases. Said the citation: "Their fundamental finding initiated a research area which today is one of the most active and wide ranging...